Shut-off adapter for automatic gasoline nozzles



SHUT-OFF ADAPTER FOR AUTOMATIC GASOLINE NOZZLES Filed NOV. 21, 1963 33 30 jwzverzfi 7 29 @Zeyzp; W/CMKZ United States Patent M 3,255,789 SHUT-OFF ADAPTER FOR AUTOMATIC GASOLINE NOZZLES Robert D. McDonald, Eagle Point Drive, Dubuque, Iowa Filed Nov. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 325,437 9 Claims. (Cl. 141226) This invention relates generally to an adapter for an automatic filling nozzle for filling random containers with liquid. More particularly, this invention is concerned with a shutoff adapter for use with an automatic liquid filling nozzle.

This invention is usable in connection with a number of liquids so that it is not intended to limit this disclosure to any particular use although it will be described in connection with nozzles designed for filling fuel tanks 'of motor vehicles.

Conventional automatic nozzles used for dispensing gasoline utilize the principle of differential air pressure on a diaphragm to function. In this respect, actuation of a valve to a locked operative position permits automatic emission of fluid through the nozzle into the tank to be filled. The nozzle spout is generally designed to be inserted for a short distance into the fill pipe leading to the gas tank. Upon the gasoline reaching the level of the inserted nozzle spout, it blocks an opening in a small tube, which is positioned within the spout and leads back to a diaphragm in the nozzle. As a result, a pressure diiferential on one side of a diaphragm located within the nozzle occurs. This causes movement of the diaphragm, which, in turn, causes operation of the actuating valve to an inoperative position, thereby shutting off the flow of the gasoline.

With the use of the automatic nozzles presently available, a number of problems are present. On many occasions, when the tank is filled, there is a rushing or escaping of air out of the tube leading to the gas tank, producing so-called blow back. This has the adverse features of forcing gasoline out of the tank. As one can readily visualize, this spilling action causes the gasoline to soil or damage the finish on the automobile and, additionally, creates a fire hazard due to the highly inflammable fluid spilled over the pavement, disregarding the gasoline loss. Though this problem could be rectified by lengthening the spout on the gasoline nozzle, the modification of equipment presently available on the market could not be accomplished without considerable expense because not only would the nozzle spout itself have to be lengthened, but, additionally, the nozzle storage compartment on the pump would also require extensive redesign. In order to obviate the costly spillage problem inherent with present automatic nozzles at a minimal cost, applicant provides an adapter for use with the automatic nozzle presently in use. With the adapter in an operative or fill position, the tube located within the spout is extended beyond the end of the nozzle spout such that the gasoline, upon reaching the level of the adapter, causes the automatic operation of the nozzle valve. The automatic fluid flow is then stopped before any spillage occurs. The adapter, subsequent to use, is intended to be swiveled to an inoperative position in order that the nozzle can be inserted into its compartment on the pump itself without any modification of the pump nozzle storage compartment. When the adapter is in the inoperative position the automatic nozzle also works at its normal shutofi' point. Therefore, in the inoperative position the nozzle functions as it would without the adapter.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the structure claimed and disclosed, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

3,255,789 Patented June 14, 1966 FIG. 1 shows the adapter in an operative position;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the adapter in an operative position;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the adapter in an inoperative position;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 2; and, I

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the adapter.

In FIGURE 1, spout 10 is shown'extending from the nozzle proper. Located within spout 10 is tube 11, one end of which terminates in an outlet 12 on the spout while the other end leads to a compartment, a portion of which is enclosed by a diaphragm (not shown). Attached to spout 10 is an adapter 13. The adapter has a band 14 fastened by suitable means to the outer face of spout 10 and swivelably connected to band 14 is adapter member 16.

Tube 17 extends from and is rigid with member 16 with end 18 aligned with outlet 19 of a hollow passage 20 located within member 16. The inlet 21 of passage 20 is so located that in an operative position, passage 20 is in alignment with tube outlet 12. Member 16 has another hollow passage 34. When the adapter is in an inoperative position, passage 34 and outlet 12 are aligned to allow the nozzle to operate at its normal shutoff position.

The adapter is capable of being turned or swiveled 360, though from an operative to an inoperative position the necessary swivel is only Swiveling is accomplished by attaching member 16 to band 14 by a spring biased pin means such as shown at 22. Screw 23 or other suitable fastening means, e.g., pin, can be used to fasten member 16 to band 14; The screw is biased by any suitable means, such as spring 24, to assure that adapter 13 is maintained in an airtight, leak-proof connection with spout 10 and tube outlet 12. To further assure that no leakage will occur between adapter 13 and 14, an O-seal 26 is provided as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Detents 27 located on member 16 mate with recesses 28 in band 14 so that when member 16 is swiveled 180, the adapter will be in a locked position. Naturally it would be possible to provide the recesses on member 16 and detents on band 14 or to provide some other form of suitable locking means.

In FIGURE 7 another embodiment of the invention is shown. Band 14 has attached thereto a hollow swivel head 28 and revolvably mounted on head 28 is adapter member 29. If desired, head 28 could be made an integral part of band 14. Head 28, which has an aperture 36 located therein, is in alignment with tube outlet 12. Member 29 is attached to head 28 by means of a press fit so that there is a continuous airtight leak-proof connection between head 28 and adapter member 29. If desired, an additional sealing means could be provided as described above. Tube 31 is attached in an aligned position to a first hollow passage 32 in member 29. In the adapter operative position tube 31 and passage 32 are in alignmentwith aperture 36. Additionally, a second hollow passage is located within member 29 so that when the adapter is in its inoperative position passage 33 and aperture 36 are aligned and the nozzle will be able to automatically close at its normal shutoff position.

When the attendant is called upon to fill the tank, the nozzle may be removed from its storage compartment on the pump and the adapter swiveled to an operative position such as shownin FIGURE 1. Adapter tube 17, swiveled to its operative position, and spout 10 are inserted into the tube leading to the gas tank of the vehicle and the nozzle valve is actuated to automatically permit the flow of gasoline into the gas tank. When the level of the fluid contacts the end of adapter tube 17, furthest from adapter 13, air pressure within the valve compartment is changed causing movement in the diaphragm which, in turn, effects the cut-off of the flow of gasoline into the tank thus preventing any blow back.

The adapter can be made of any material, e.g., plastic,

which is impervious to the fluid being transported.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An adapter for use with a liquid filling nozzle having a spout for emitting fiuid in which a first tube is located and which terminates in an outlet on the wall of said spout, said adapter comprising:

a connecting means for connecting said adapter to said spout;

an adapter member secured to said connecting means and supported to turn thereabout;

a second tube rigid with said adapter member, said second tube extending in length beyond said spout when said adapter is in an operative position.

2. An adapter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said adapter member has a first hollow passage located therein with one end of said first passage in alignment with an end of said second tube and said remaining passage end in alignment with said first tube when said adapter is in an operative position.

3. An adapter in accordance with claim 2 wherein said adapter member includes a second hollow passage located therein with one end of said second passage in alignment with said first tube when said adapter is in an inoperative position.

4. An adapter in accordance with claim 2 further including a biasing means for basing said adapter member against said spout to afford an airtight and leak-proof connection between said spout and member.

5. An adapter member in accordance with claim 1 made of plastic.

6. An adapter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connecting means is a band member.

7. An adapter for use with an automatic liquid filling nozzle having a spout for emitting fluid in which a first tube is located and which terminates in an outlet on the wall of said spout, said adapter comprising:

a connecting means for connecting said adapter to said spout;

a swivel head rigid with said connecting means, said swivel head having an aperture therein;

an adapter member secured to said swivel head and supported to turn thereabout;

a second tube rigid with said adapter member, said second tube extending in length beyond said spout when said adapter is in an operative position.

8. -An adapter in accordance with claim 7 wherein said adapter member has a first hollow passage located therein with one end of said first passage in alignment with an end of said second tube and said remaining passage end in alignment with said first tube when said adapter is in an operative position.

9. An adapter in accordance with claim 7 wherein said adapter member includes a second hollow passage located therein with one end of said second passage in alignment with said first tube when said adapter is in an inoperative position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ADAPTED FOR USE WITH A LIQUID FILLING NOZZLE HAVING A SPOUT FOR EMITTING FLUID IN WHICH A FIRST TUBE IS LOCATED AND WHICH TERMINATES IN AN OUTLET ON THE WALL OF SAID SPOUT, SAID ADAPTED COMPRISING: A CONNECTING MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID ADAPTED TO SAID SPOUT; AN ADAPTED MEMBER SECURED TO SAID CONNECTING MEANS AND SUPPORTED TO TURN THEREABOUT; A SECOND TUBE RIGID WITH SAID ADAPTED MEMBER, SAID SECOND TUBE EXTENDING IN LENGTH BEYOND SAID SPOUT WHEN SAID ADAPTED IS IN AN OPERATIVE POSITION. 